Don, I had seriously considered the laptop alternative, but (though considerably cheaper), it's not the same thing. It doesn't provide the unique advantages specifically tailored for sheet music organizing & viewing that the MusicPad Pro+ provides, and via finger touch screen selection or even hands free, which (to me) is essential (to me) when performing. The screen size & dimensions of a tradition laptop don't match the portrait dimensions of a standard lead sheet either, and laptop placement * viewability (with attached keyboard) is an issue as well. We all here seem willing to spend hundreds (& even thousands) of dollars on upgrading our keyboards, but when it comes to spending money for the music itself (media), we suddenly get sqeamish. Yes, $1,200 (or $1,099 in my case) is a considerable chunk of change, but I feel the MusicPadPro well worth the investment, even it means passing up on a keyboard upgrade for another year.

Scott